Lol. Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.
I think it's clear I need to get the steel back on pretty damn quickly. I think I preferred the steel but was looking for something new to do.
Evidently a mistake. Comes back to 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it....'

I am going against the grain and say a Sub can look good on a lot of different bands but leather is not great. @no frills put his DSSD on a bright red rubber strap which looked great and he may have even put his sub on a black rubber strap. There are then a lot of people with the rare MilSub who have theirs on a Nato strap which looks good but you can never go wrong with steel.

I think the Sub is more conducive to changing the bracelet to a strap than other Rolex models though I have a soft spot for a Daytona on Alligator.

Lol. Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.
I think it's clear I need to get the steel back on pretty damn quickly. I think I preferred the steel but was looking for something new to do.
Evidently a mistake. Comes back to 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it....'

Nah, the leather looks fine too even if I prefer the bracelet (and you ignore the water-immersion factor).

A solid-coloured NATO strap can also look great, and it suits a case with lug holes since you can use proper flangeless spring bars with it.

Another nice thing about lug holes: you can swap straps in a matter of seconds without leaving a mark using just a toothpick.

Another couple of questions related to AP ROs; is the 15202 'worth' the considerable price difference over the 15300? Finally, what are thoughts on the white dial 15202? Thanks.

That's a really personal decision that only you can decide. The 15300 is a great watch. Its designed to take maybe a bit more abuse if you are tough on watches, it has a thicker case, and thicker bracelet. However, I have tried on most of the modern steel ROs (15300, 15400, 15202 new and previous models, the dual time, the day-date a.k.a the owl, and a few chronographs) and for me the modern 15202 was the right choice.

The movement itself is largely part of the attraction to the watch. If the movement doesn't matter as much to you then probably the 15202 isn't the right choice, as the 15300's in cal 3120 is really nice. However, other collectors I'm friendly with and who have owned lots of great watches including several ROs, all said if they were choosing one RO have in their collection it would be the 15202. I have mentioned it before, and again this goes to the movement, it is the only movement going into their less complicated pieces that is assembled in the same department as their high complications. For a time only piece it is a rather complicated design and still one of the thinnest automatic movements of all time.

Its not as water resistant as some of their other pieces, only WR to 50m, but I wouldn't wear a watch like this swimming anyway. However, other than that, its a tremendously versatile watch and I've worn mine as a daily wearer for nearly 3.5 years. Its one of my favorite watches. The 15300 and 15400 are wonderful watches, but each had an element that was not quite right for me, but from the moment I put the modern 15202 on I knew it was the right choice it just spoke to me. I would advise you to try on the 15300, 15400, and 15202 (new and old)...they have different clasps. Although the clasp of the model just prior to the 15202 has a prettier clasp, I didn't find it as comfortable as on the modern piece. I also did not find the clasp on the 15300 all that comfortable for me, but again it was pretty. I found the clasp of the modern 15202 (from 2012 on) and that of the 15400 more comfortable.

I can't say that I love the white dial 15202. The years prior to 2012 they they shortened the hour markers and added Arabic numerals around the outside 5, 10, 15, 20 etc,,,I just never loved how these dials looked. The models prior and after with longer slimmer hour markers looked more handsome and closer to the original design...but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The RO is a great watch in any form. For me the 15202 was worth the extra money, but that doesn't mean its the best choice for you. Good luck on your search and do yourself a favor and try all of the styles on to see which is best for you. Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by culverwood

Narrowing it down to three would be easy for me, ditch the Daytona, but as Dino always says it is only my personal point of view.

I. I do not like chronographs.
2. I do not like the polished/satin bracelet.
3. I do not like the lettering on the bezel.

I know it is a wonderful watch but just not one for me.

I think if a person likes chronographs and wants one, the Daytona can be a great choice. Technically, its tough to beat especially at its price point. However, it has always been a sort of polarizing watch. Some people don't like the polished parts, some wished it had a date, some prefer the looks of the vintage models. I really like the modern version a lot, but as I've said before I greatly prefer the previous model, both for its dial and fewer polished parts. I've always been a fan of Daytonas, but as I mentioned recently, I actually find that I enjoy my BLNR GMTII a bit more than my modern Daytona. Cheers!

Water immersion a total non-issue. This piece never goes near water. I fact the only water my red sub will experience are my tear drops of frustration going back and forth between straps 😉

I know, it's just the principle of the thing; like putting low-profile slicks on a 4X4, as the cliché goes.

No need to fear water, by the way. It's as good as new when you replace the gaskets and crystal. Of course, if you have the original top hat crystal and want to keep it on, then it's a different story.

The RO is a great watch in any form. For me the 15202 was worth the extra money, but that doesn't mean its the best choice for you. Good luck on your search and do yourself a favor and try all of the styles on to see which is best for you. Cheers!

Thanks for the thoughtful response! I believe my biggest challenge is going to be trying to try on all sizes! The only one I've been able to try on is the 15400 which was just ridiculously large on my wrist.

Thanks for the thoughtful response! I believe my biggest challenge is going to be trying to try on all sizes! The only one I've been able to try on is the 15400 which was just ridiculously large on my wrist.

Your welcome. Trying them on may be a challenge, but is definitely important to finding the one that fits you the best. Even with 15202s, depending on the age of the watch there have been at least 3 clasps in the last 16+ years, and I find the current clasp (the one shown in the last photo) sits more centered on my wrist and makes for a more comfortable fit.